What is Blood in the Front of the Eye?
Identifying the disease that is causing hyphema is essential in order to save the cat's eyesight. Noting any other symptoms that the cat is displaying is helpful in diagnosing the correct disease.
Blood in the anterior chamber, or front chamber, of the cat's eye is a condition known as hyphema. Hyphema isn't a disease in and of itself but is rather a symptom of a systemic or ophthalmic disease. The condition can range from mild to severe, with mild cases presenting with a light pink color in the fluid in front of the eye. Severe hyphema typically presents with the entire chamber filled with blood, blinding the cat.
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Symptoms of Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
Symptoms of hyphema are dependent on the extent that bleeding has occurred and the location from where the bleeding began.
- Red or pink-colored fluid in the eye between the area of the cornea and the pupil/iris
- Swelling of the cornea
- Corneal lesions
- Cuts or bruises around the eye area
- Eye discharge
- Pain or irritation in the eye, which may cause the cat to squint or close the affected eye
- Blindness or decreased vision in affected eye
Causes of Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
There are several diseases or conditions that can cause hyphema to occur. These conditions include:
- Injury or trauma to the eye or head
- Severe uveitis
- Severe retinal detachment or tearing
- Blood clotting disorders
- Hypertension
- Hyperthyroidism
- Chronic glaucoma
- Parasite infection
- Tumor or cancer in the eye
- Retinal dysplasia
- Bleeding of the blood vessels
- Lymphoma
Diagnosis of Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
The veterinarian will need the cat's complete health history. It's important to note any other symptoms that the cat is experiencing in order for the vet to correctly identify the disease that is causing the hyphema. The veterinarian will physically examine the cat, noting any signs of trauma, swollen lymph nodes and its blood pressure levels.
An ophthalmic examination will need to be done on the cat's eyes. As part of this exam, a Schirmer tear test, tonometry, pupillary light reflex testing, and fluorescein eye stain to test the cornea will be done. These tests will allow the veterinarian to determine where the bleeding is coming from and may help identify the underlying cause of the hyphema.
A complete blood count, a urinalysis, thyroid serum tests, serum biochemistry tests, blood coagulation tests and chest and abdominal x-rays will also be done. Each of these tests will check the function of other organs in the body and narrow down what disease is causing the bleeding.
If these tests indicate something is wrong with an organ, further tests may need to be done, such as hormonal tests of the adrenal glands, a bone marrow biopsy or an x-ray of the eye orbit and head. These tests are advanced and may need to be done in a hospital.
Treatment of Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
Medication
Topical corticosteroids as an ointment or eye drops will be prescribed to the cat. Corticosteroids will reduce the inflammation in the anterior chamber and around the eye. The cat will also be prescribed atropine eye drops, which dilate the pupil. Dilating the cat's pupil will help to reduce their pain level and minimize the sticking between the lens and iris. If corticosteroids don't help enough with inflammation, aspirin may be prescribed. Aspirin may increase the risk of future bleeding, however, so it isn't used as the initial treatment. If the cat's intraocular pressure is elevated, glaucoma medications will be prescribed to reduce this pressure and decrease the chance of bleeding.
Surgery
If the intraocular pressure doesn't decrease with the use of medications, glaucoma surgery may be necessary in order to relieve the pressure and save the cat's eyesight. The fluid in the eye will be drained and altered to stop fluid buildup in the eye.
If the hyphema occurred due to a traumatic injury, surgery may also be needed to correct the injury and any accompanying lesions.
Primary Disease Treatment
In order to save the eye, the primary disease must be treated. This may include dietary changes, medications for high blood pressure or hypothyroidism or treatment for a retinal detachment.
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Recovery of Blood in the Front of the Eye in Cats
The cat's activity must be restricted for at least seven to 10 days. This will allow time for the bleeding to stop and the hyphema to settle away from the cat's front chamber. If a blood clotting disorder is found, the cat will need to stay calm as blood clots can move quickly through the body with activity, causing a heart attack or stroke to occur. If the hyphema has caused vision loss or blindness, it's important to monitor the cat when outdoors.
Regular follow-up visits with the veterinarian are necessary in order to check for bleeding, test the intraocular pressure and monitor the use of medications. Primary disease treatment will also need to be followed-up with the veterinarian.
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Blood in the Front of the Eye Average Cost
From 509 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
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Top
Blood in the Front of the Eye Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
cat
Six Months
38 found this helpful
38 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
We have a 6 month old DSH cat. Indoor but came from outdoor litter. Neg for FELV/FIV. UTD vaccines. Left eye has mucous discharge that is blood tinged. Vet checked eye at time of neuter and found no abnormalities.
He squints especially when he first wakes up and the rim of his eyelids is rust colored and can be removed with a q-tip. Tobramycin eye drops and neopolybactricin ophthalmic with no resolve.
Oct. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
38 Recommendations
Hi there, this is Dr Linda.
I'm sorry to hear this little one has ongoing eye issues.
Presumably the vet gave the eye a thorough exam? We would want to rule out any subtle congenital issues such as an ingrown eyelash or entropion (eyelids that slant inwards).
It may also be sensible to check that the tear ducts are not narrowed or blocked.
We have the option of performing a swab to determine if any infection is present. This can be useful, especially if previous antibiotics have failed (in case of a resistant infection).
If the eye is worsening, I would encourage a Fluorescein Dye test to ensure there is no ulceration.
Do double check the environment is free of smoke, cooking fumes, air fresheners, dust etc. which could be irritating.
Oct. 28, 2020
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calico
kitten
18 found this helpful
18 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood From Eye
looks like cut in white part of her eye after possible cat fight/ cat attack and now show signs of blood coming from her eye
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
18 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
If you see blood coming from her eye and a possible cut in the eye, she should be seen by a veterinarian right away. Injuries like that can cause the loss of an eye if not treated. They will be able to see her, look at her eye, and let you know what medications or treatments might be needed.
I hope that she is okay!
Oct. 5, 2020
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Tabby
3 months
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Left Eye
My kitty's left eye looks like its bloody inside. I do have 2 kittys and im not sure if he got injured when playing with his older sister. Should i take him to the vet asap or will he be okay and itll go away in a few days
Sept. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
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Street cat
Two Months
9 found this helpful
9 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In The Eyes And Gray Eyes
I found an abandoned kitten on the street with its eyes protruding from its orbit. The veterinarian said it was herpes. He prescribed Ciplex and Aerotex. After 4 weeks, his eyes appeared but he could not see. I stopped the medication. Another week later, his eyes turned gray with blood vessels in them, and blood came out of his eyes when he rubbed them. Another veterinarian prescribed tyrolose, dicloptin, and clobiotics. No changes were made during the week of consumption.
The third doctor prescribed him the drugs levofloxacin, homidrin, and tirlos. After a week, there was still no change .
Aug. 3, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
9 Recommendations
Thank you for your question, and I'm sorry for this little kitten. Unfortunately, some viral diseases can cause such damage to kittens eyes, early in life, that it might not be fixable. It seems that you are getting good veterinary care, and I think frequent rechecks for the kitten and consistent medications may help, but that kitten might never see. Your veterinarian will be able to let you know more as they can see the kitten and know whether it has Vision or not. I hope that the kitten is able to live a normal life regardless.
Aug. 3, 2020
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Short haired cat
One Year
10 found this helpful
10 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Red Splotch In Eye
I just noticed my cat has a slight red splotch in his eye... he isn’t showing any symptoms and acting normal. What could this be? He does not have any medical issues
July 26, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
10 Recommendations
Hello-
Thank you for your question. It appears like he is having some changes in the color of the iris, but it is hard to say for sure with just the picture. If it continues, progresses or he develops any symptoms with the eye I would recommend having him examined by your veterinarian to evaluate it.
July 26, 2020
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Birman
Snoots
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cloudiness In Eye
Cloudiness In Eye Blood
My cat is 8 and has cloudiness in her right eye with what looks like sleep in both corners but it’s blood. She has been to the vet numerous times and he said he’s never seen anything Ike it. No other symptoms and it’s been like this for 3-4 years.
Long hair black
Charcoal
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing
Hyphema
One Eye Larger
Crushed Cheek Bone?
My healthy 1 year old outdoor kitty went missing, and 5 days later we found her stuck under a neighbor’s porch. After pulling up the deck to get her out, we took her straight to the vet. She was not dehydrated or malnourished (which was surprising!), but both her eyes are filled with blood and are now black. They are different though. On her left, her cheek bone seems sharper and almost as if it’s jutting out, but her pallet is fine and she doesn’t seem to be in pain when I touch the area. On that same side her eyeball seems larger than the right, and it’s milky but with purple and reds behind it. The milkiness has decreased slightly over the last week. The right side is smaller but totally black with no color whatsoever. She also has a small tear in the side but the vet was unconcerned. She has a little more discharge on that side but nothing too bad. She had some dried blood on that side near the corner that had to be shaved away where it matted her fur. She had no other injuries.
She’s taking three different eye drops which include the dialators, antibiotics, and pain medicines, but I feel like there should be more I can do?! I also have no clue how this happened? Her pressures were fine and her bloodwork showed no toxins or high blood pressure. I’m feeling helpless and so sad for her. She’s depressed and only sleeps now as she is completely blind. She may be able to see some shadows only. :(. She also has sneezing fits occasionally, although those have decreased in frequency quite a bit.
Blood in the Front of the Eye Average Cost
From 509 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
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